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Federal CIO Suzette Kent on Technology Modernization Fund
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Federal CIO Suzette Kent on Technology Modernization Fund


Suzette Kent
Suzette Kent

Suzette Kent, federal chief information officer and a 2019 Wash100 Award recipient, discussed at a conference the Technology Modernization Fund and how the federal government funds information technology transformation initiatives through TMF, Federal News Network reported Thursday.

“Coming in from the private sector, one of the very interesting things [in government] was the concept of talking about transformation, but getting that done with one-year money,” she said at Pegasystems’ Government Empowered Conference. “Those things don’t work really well together. A broad and bold vision for transformation in many agencies, whether it’s a micro-journey or something bigger than that, often takes more time.”

Chief data officers, chief financial officers and other C-suite officials at federal agencies identified “common learnings” from IT projects funded through TMF and Kent said agencies can apply those lessons in future initiatives.

“Every one of the initiatives had some element that was an all-of-government benefit,” Kent said. “What that means is a playbook came out of it, a tool for reuse, or it was a particular type of initiative where one agency started and others contributed.”

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Federal CIO Suzette Kent on Technology Modernization Fund
Published on
Federal CIO Suzette Kent on Technology Modernization Fund


Suzette Kent
Suzette Kent

Suzette Kent, federal chief information officer and a 2019 Wash100 Award recipient, discussed at a conference the Technology Modernization Fund and how the federal government funds information technology transformation initiatives through TMF, Federal News Network reported Thursday.

“Coming in from the private sector, one of the very interesting things [in government] was the concept of talking about transformation, but getting that done with one-year money,” she said at Pegasystems’ Government Empowered Conference. “Those things don’t work really well together. A broad and bold vision for transformation in many agencies, whether it’s a micro-journey or something bigger than that, often takes more time.”

Chief data officers, chief financial officers and other C-suite officials at federal agencies identified “common learnings” from IT projects funded through TMF and Kent said agencies can apply those lessons in future initiatives.

“Every one of the initiatives had some element that was an all-of-government benefit,” Kent said. “What that means is a playbook came out of it, a tool for reuse, or it was a particular type of initiative where one agency started and others contributed.”

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Defense Innovation Unit Reviews Proposals for GPS Alternative Device
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Defense Innovation Unit Reviews Proposals for GPS Alternative Device


Defense Innovation Unit Reviews Proposals for GPS Alternative Device

The Defense Innovation Unit is evaluating proposed projects on non-GPS navigation devices for the U.S. Army, Space News reported Wednesday.

DIU’s Boston-based office is looking at 25 proposals for the Dismounted Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing System or DAPS. The future handheld device would work to help soldiers navigate through GPS-denied environments.

The solicitation ran through Oct. 28 and sought available technologies that don’t require a large amount of further development. Col. Jeff Sheehan, DIU program manager, said the proposals included optical, inertial and radio frequency navigation.

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Army Needs Tools to Understand the Cyber Battlespace
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Army Needs Tools to Understand the Cyber Battlespace


Army Needs Tools to Understand the Cyber Battlespace

The U.S. Army seeks firms willing to demonstrate technologies that would help commanders visualize the cyber domain of a battlefield, Fifth Domain reported Wednesday.

The service branch is searching for these technologies under the Cyber Situational Understanding or SU program. Companies would self-fund their own demonstrations that would take place in realistic environments.

The Army expects to issue a contract for the program in March 2020.

Brigade teams usually rely on a manual process that uses input from multiple experts. Timothy Coen, Cyber SU project lead, said the Army lacks a single, unified analysis tool that correlates data from all cyber systems in battle.

SU’s first phase will aim to allow self-visualization for units and commanders and is scheduled to enter limited deployment this fiscal year. The program’s first and second capability drops will occur in fiscal years 2022 and 2024, respectively.

Military Leaders Talk Establishing Standalone Electromagnetic Warfare Domain
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Military Leaders Talk Establishing Standalone Electromagnetic Warfare Domain


Military Leaders Talk Establishing Standalone Electromagnetic Warfare Domain

U.S. military officials are yet to decide if electromagnetic warfare should be established as a separate domain along with land, air, sea, cyber and space, C4ISRnet reported Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. David Gaedecke, director of electromagnetic spectrum superiority under the U.S. Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration and requirements, said at an Association of Old Crows event that while the electromagnetic spectrum has physical properties, establishing it as a standalone domain would pose logistical challenges for large organizations like the Department of Defense.

Laurence Mixon, a special assistant at the Army’s Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, noted that EMS encompasses all warfare domains and will enable forces to coordinate effectively.

“EMS is definitely an aspect of the operational environment that every tactician has to be aware of, understand and leverage,” he said. “And on the acquisition side we have to consider EMS when we are developing every one of our systems. I think since EMS crosses all of the domains that we currently have today that we identify and use in the joint parlance–I don’t think the Army is ready to call it a domain.”

Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Extend NASA Authorities
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Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Extend NASA Authorities


Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Extend NASA Authorities

A bipartisan group of senators have introduced legislation seeking to extend the authorization of the International Space Station, foster NASA partnerships with industry and drive efforts in the U.S. space industry.

The office of Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Wednesday that the senator, along with Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., introduced the NASA Authorization Act of 2019 which builds on prior legislation Cruz introduced in 2018.

Under the NASA Authorization Act, the ISS would continue authorized operations through 2030 to support the growth of the space economy as well as NASA’s efforts to sustain human presence in low-Earth orbit.

The legislation would also mandate NASA to implement rapid acquisition authorities, modernize launch and test capabilities, support training efforts and accelerate research into areas such as next-generation spacesuits, space safety and defense.

In addition, NASA would be required to authorize Enhanced Use Leasing authorities which would allow companies to lease inactive NASA-owned facilities to fund other improvement efforts.

Cruz is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation and Space while Sinema serves as a ranking member. Wicker serves as chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where Cantwell is ranking member.

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Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, PSC Names Perspecta CEO Mac Curtis GovCon Executive of the Year
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Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, PSC Names Perspecta CEO Mac Curtis GovCon Executive of the Year


Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, PSC Names Perspecta CEO Mac Curtis GovCon Executive of the Year

Perspecta announced on Thursday that Mac Curtis, president and CEO of the company and 2019 Wash100 Award winner, has been awarded the Greater Washington GovCon Award for Executive of the Year in the greater than $300 million category.

“I am extremely humbled and honored to receive this award,” said Mac Curtis, president and CEO of Perspecta. “I accept this on behalf of the 14,000 Perspecta employees who wake up every morning around the world to support our customers’ missions and keep our country safe.”

Curtis is a GovCon veteran and leader with over 35 years of experience in strategic planning, business development and ability to deliver indisputable financial results. 

Perspecta has exceeded all financial targets in its inaugural year under Curtis’ leadership and has proven its staying power as a leader in combining enterprise IT and mission services to successfully serve the needs of the U.S. government and its citizens.

Presented by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Professional Services Council, the Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards is the premier event for the Washington-area government contracting community, recognizing the best-in-class among industry.

Curtis accepted this award at the 17th Annual Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards gala on Wednesday. 

About Perspecta Inc.

At Perspecta (NYSE: PRSP), we question, we seek and we solve. Perspecta brings a diverse set of capabilities to our U.S. government customers in defense, intelligence, civilian, health care and state and local markets. Our 270+ issued, licensed and pending patents are more than just pieces of paper, they tell the story of our innovation. With offerings in mission services, digital transformation and enterprise operations, our team of 14,000 engineers, analysts, investigators and architects work tirelessly to not only execute the mission, but build and support the backbone that enables it.

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Amyx Awarded OASIS Unrestricted Contract; Satya Akula Quoted
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Amyx Awarded OASIS Unrestricted Contract; Satya Akula Quoted


Amyx Awarded OASIS Unrestricted Contract; Satya Akula Quoted

Amyx, Inc. has been awarded a One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) Pool 1 contract from the General Services Administration (GSA) in the unrestricted category, Amyx announced on Thursday.  

OASIS has been designated as a Best-in-Class (BIC) designated solution by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).  

“Winning this contract is a significant milestone for Amyx and it establishes a strong avenue for future growth, said Satya Akula, Amyx’s president and CEO. “Having graduated as one of the most successful vendors on OASIS Small Business Pool 1, we look forward to being an active participant on this vehicle and to working closely with the GSA OASIS team.”

The government-wide Best-in-Class IDIQ allows acquisition experts to take advantage of pre-vetted, governmentwide contract solutions, and it supports a government-wide migration to solutions that are mature and market-proven.  

Other contract benefits include no maximum on contract ceiling for task orders as well as flexibility to use all contract types including fixed price, cost reimbursable, Time and Materials, Labor Hour and hybrids.

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Serco Awarded $43 Million Contract to Deliver Engineering and Design for the U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Small Surface Combatant Vessels; Dave Dacquino Quoted
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Serco Awarded $43 Million Contract to Deliver Engineering and Design for the U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Small Surface Combatant Vessels; Dave Dacquino Quoted


Serco Awarded $43 Million Contract to Deliver Engineering and Design for the U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Small Surface Combatant Vessels; Dave Dacquino Quoted
Dave Dacquino

Serco announced on Thursday that the U.S. Navy’s Guided Missile Frigate FFG(X) Program Executive Office (PEO) for Unmanned and Small Combatants has awarded the company a potential five-year, $43 million contract to support the development of the Navy’s next multi-mission Small Surface Combatant.

The contract is the second contract win of note for the Naval Systems Business Unit that was acquired from Alion Science & Technology Corporation in September.

Serco will advise the Navy on technical design issues, establish the network architecture and cybersecurity of ship systems, develop system integration parameters and test requirements, establish integrated logistic support plans for the ship class, and maintain accurate cost estimates for the Navy.

“I am excited about this contract win, as this is what we envisioned for the Naval Systems business,” said Dave Dacquino, Chairman and CEO of Serco Inc.  “Through the acquisition we gained industry-leading capabilities in naval ship and submarine design, engineering and construction services, which dovetails nicely with Serco’s existing strengths in shipboard, shore and systems installation and upgrade services to the Navy.”

The contract award expands Serco’s scope of work to support the customer’s mission across six key tasks: Network Architecture and Cybersecurity; Cost Estimating; System Integration and Test; Acquisition, Program Management, and Life Cycle Management; Engineering, Design, and Production; and Design Site Support.

In addition to modelling the new ship class in a 3D environment, virtual technology will be used in the design site to allow ship designers to walk through the design in a virtual environment to evaluate the design and maintainability.

About Serco Inc. 

Serco Inc. is a leading provider of professional, technology, and management services. We advise, design, integrate, and deliver solutions that transform how clients achieve their missions. Our customer-first approach, robust portfolio of services, and global experience enables us to respond with solutions that achieve outcomes with value.

Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, Serco Inc. has approximately 8,000 employees and annual revenue of $1.2 billion. Serco Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Serco Group plc, a $4 billion international business that helps transform government and public services around the world.

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Elaine McCusker to be Nominated DoD Comptroller
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Elaine McCusker to be Nominated DoD Comptroller


Elaine McCusker
Elaine McCusker

Elaine McCusker, deputy comptroller at the Department of Defense since August 2017, will be nominated by President Trump to the comptroller post. McCusker previously served as director of resources and analysis at U.S. Central Command, where she advised the Centcom commander on various matters such as budget and warfighting analysis, the White House said Wednesday.

She has more than 10 years of government service, which included time as a Senate Armed Services Committee staff member and five years at the DoD. Her industry and academic career encompassed six years of work for the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and four years at University of Washington.

McCusker’s professional background spans across the acquisition, analysis, contingency operations and science and technology areas.

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